Dad of steel Ric storms Sahara endurance challenge

David Allison

DAD of steel Ric Hallikeri smashed one of the world’s toughest endurance challenges - despite battling hallucinations, sleep-deprivation and dehydration - to raise £10,000 for a city respite centre.

The 39-year-old has just returned home to Wearside after completing the famous Marathon Des Sables event in the Sahara Desert, Morroco.

TOUGH GUY: Ric had to contend with sandstorms and sleep deprivation in an open-sided tent in the desert.

Ric, of Silksworth, coped with blistering heat of more than 50 degrees to finish six marathons in just six days.

Speaking about the experience, Ric, who only took up running in preparation for the Sunderland City 10k in 2013 as a way of losing weight, today told the Echo: “It was absolutely fantastic but without doubt the toughest thing I’ve done in my life.

“It isn’t just physical pain you are going through, this was mentally torturous as well.

“From getting there, we had our tents with no sides so you were exposed to sandstorms every night.

It was absolutely fantastic but without doubt the toughest thing I’ve done in my life.

Ric Hallikeri

“You’d make your own food, then get up and run a marathon a day in 53 degree heart.

“I was constantly dehydrated. I had nine litres of water on the first day but only went the toilet once, which shows how hot it was.”

Despite the extreme conditions, Ric, who had spent two years in training for the event, managed to get over the finish line on the sixth day, recording a time of 50 hours.

“The real professionals managed to do it in about 28 hours,” said Ric, married to Louise, 39, and dad to Sofia, five, and Blake, three.